Larry Finch is the only coach in NCAA history to lead his alma mater to the final four, have his school retire his jersey, and then go on to become that institution’s all-time winningest coach. Suffice it to say that Larry Finch is considered “Mr. Basketball” in the city of Memphis. While at Memphis State as player from 1970 to 1973, assistant coach from 1979 to 1986, and head coach from 1986 to 1998, Finch saw MSU compile a brilliant record of over 350 wins. His dominance as a player attained a pinnacle in 1973 when the Tigers reached the NCAA Final Four before losing to Bill Walton and the great UCLA Bruins. Finch, who was Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year two seasons in a row, was named to four All-America teams his senior year. After graduating, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, but opted to stay home and play with Memphis in the ABA. From there, he began his coaching career, first at Richland Junior High, then at Messick High School, and in 1977, joined his collegiate coach, Gene Bartow, as an assistant at Alabama-Birmingham, before returning to his alma mater. As MSU head coach, Finch’s teams averaged around twenty wins per year, had eight post season appearances, and his 1991-1992 Tigers reached the NCAA Final Eight. Larry Finch is Memphis basketball, and his awesome feats as a player and coach have earned him a special place in the history books of that proud city.
